People on the move: August 2023

New World Trading Company

Amber Wood (main image) has been named as the new chief operating officer at New World Trading Company. Wood has previously held senior roles in hospitality, most recently as managing director at Cosy Club and head of operations at Novus Leisure. She will lead and support the operations team as well as overseeing brand and marketing activity at the bar group as its portfolio grows, with development currently under way for new openings in Sunderland, Durham and Bournemouth.

Galvin at Windows

London Hilton on Park Lane-based Galvin at Windows has have appointed Michele Toto as restaurant manager. He joins from The Ritz, where he held the position of assistant restaurant manager from 2020 to 2023. Prior to this he Toto worked at a number of other top restaurants and hotels in the UK and his native Italy and holds a MicroMasters in International Hospitality Management. “I am thrilled to join the Hilton and Galvin families and very proud to lead such a passionate and talented team,” he says. “I look forward to welcoming new and old guests in this beautiful restaurant.”

KFC UK & Ireland

KFC UK & Ireland has named former marketing director at Taco Bell UK & Europe Monica Pool as its new chief marketing officer. Pool will be taking over from Jenny Packwood, the fried chicken giant’s chief corporate affairs and sustainability officer - who has been interim chief marketing officer since the departure of Jack Hinchliffe earlier this year. Pool is no stranger to the business, having started her journey with KFC South Africa in 2009, where she was integral in driving step-change advertising through ‘innovative creative work’. In 2012, she joined KFC UK & Ireland’s marketing team in innovation, before being promoted to marketing director. Having joined Taco Bell in 2020, Monica has grown the brand health of the business, increasing media and marketing effectiveness to bolster sales, while dealing with a range of complex issues facing the QSR sector.

Rails

Rails at Great Northern Hotel has appointed Mark Weir as its new head chef. Weir, who has more than 20 years’ experience in the industry joins from the Haymarket Hotel where he worked for 10 years, three of which as head chef. Prior positions include senior sous chef positions at London Syon Park, formerly a Waldorf Astoria hotel, and Daphne’s in Kensington. He will be responsible for the development and implementation of the hotel’s menus for British brasserie Rails and the GNH Bar & Terrace, as well as the day-to-day running of the kitchen.

Murano

George Ormond will take over the kitchen at Michelin-starred restaurant Murano when it reopens next month after a three-week refurbishment programme. Ormond, who was previously senior sous chef at the restaurant will replace Emily Brightman, who has overseen the stoves at Murano for nearly seven years. His previous roles include junior sous chef at Coast restaurant in Saundersfoot.

TGI Fridays

Restaurant group TGI Fridays has appointed Richard Latham as its chief operating officer (COO). Latham joined TGI Fridays in 2022 as regional director for the north west, before becoming national operations director for the brand, following his tenure as the international country manager at Burger King. He was previously interim COO at the company. “We are thrilled to welcome Richard into his new role as chief operating officer,” says Julie McEwan, TGI Fridays CEO. “His exceptional performance and contributions as interim COO have been invaluable, and we have no doubt that he will continue to excel and lead our company to even greater heights.”